Life as I know it...

Created on 10/6/2014

On Thursday September 25^th, along with 47 others, I officially swore in as a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV).  The next day I left the comfortable confines of my host family’s house in Okahandja in route for my new home for the next two years.  I desired a traditional African lifestyle when I boarded the plane for Namibia but PST in Okahandja spoiled me and shook my focus for a moment.  Culture shock is real and it took me a few days to come to terms with where I was and what my life would be like for the next two years.  It has been a lot of work to get to where I am today and in many ways it’s just the beginning.  I’m excited to finally settle in, get in a routine, and begin my service as a PCV. 

The village I now call home is located in the Oshana region of Namibia near Ongwediva.  I cannot disclose the name of my village for safety reasons but you wouldn’t find more than a sentence on Wikipedia about it anyway.  I may actually write the wiki page on my village if I get ambitious.  I live on a traditional homestead with my Meme and two of her grandchildren (Meme = Madam/Ms/Mother and is pronounced may–may).  Pictures as said to be worth a thousand words but I will provide some context when appropriate.    

My Homestead…  You will notice two small Wambo girls in most of the pictures.  They wouldn’t let me take a picture without them in it.  And they also had to review every picture I took. 

Hilen

 

Hilen…  She is very quick for a 6 year old as you can tell she has no problems catching chickens.  Hilen is a natural and could teach Rocky a thing or two. (If you don’t get the reference, I suggest you watch the training scene in Rocky where Micky has Rocky catch chickens to improve his foot speed)

Tequila

Tequila…  Yes, her name is Tequila.  She is 4 years old and already has an entrepreneurial prowess.  I believe those flip-flops that she made for herself are cardboard souls with plastic bag straps.  Whatever it takes to protect your feet from thorns! 

My hut

My Hut…  I have my own hut (circular cement building on the right side of the picture) within the homestead.  The door faces North and I have a window on each side of the building that allows me to directly see both the sunrise and sunset!  The windows are also useful for when Hilen and Tequila want to get my attention.  They pull themselves up into the windows, one in each window, and say “Tate Daniel… Tate Daniel” until I give them my attention (Tate = Sir/Mr/Father and is pronounced ta–tay).  They speak no English so communication is difficult.  Closing my windows and playing possum is usually the only way I can get them to leave me alone when I have stuff to do.  When it comes down to it, I wouldn’t have it any other way.   

Inside my hut

Inside My Hut…  I’m still in the process of settling in and I haven’t had time to decorate yet.  Tony and Jen, I hope you are putting my wall hangings to good use because they sure would spice this place up.  On the plus side, I have a solar powered light in my hut that is a game changer!

My bucket

My Bucket…  AKA my dishwasher, clothes washer, and body washer.  Arguably my most useful possession!

Catching chickens

 Catching Dinner…  Exhibit A.

Plucking chickens

Dinner Caught…  Even African children play with their food!

My throne

My Throne…  Within the chaos that is goat herding, you will notice a small white tin building.  Inside you will find my throne and usually a few spiders.  Don’t worry; I have already become desensitized to such things. 

Baby goat herders

Baby Goat Herders…  Business as usual; my nephew, Drake, would fit right in.

Life as I know it is different.  It is much more difficult in many ways but also more simple in others.  I am the only oshilumbu (white person) in my village so I’m hard to miss.  My English is not always understood and my Oshikwanyama is a work in progress.  As I said, I have a solar light in my hut but no electricity.  There is electricity at my school, which allows me to charge electronics during the day but I can only get internet access when I go to town on the weekends to buy food.  I have a gas powered refrigerator and stove in my homestead along with two outdoor water taps.  The water is drinking quality, which was my number one wish when joining the Peace Corps (I’m a water snob).  The days are hot and getting hotter so being able to consume clean and cold drinking water is wonderful!  Summer is coming, as they say. 

I hope everyone is intrigued and ready to visit!